Although it was a question, both Jiujiu and the man knew that it was a definite answer.
The man, who was already ashamed, turned even redder after hearing Jiujiu's words.
Although he was ashamed and angry and wanted to kill himself, the man clenched his fists and gritted his teeth when he thought of his father's last wish. He lowered his head and said, "I'm sorry. If I caused you any trouble, I'm willing to compensate you."
"How old are you this year?"
Jiujiu did not ask about the compensation, but instead asked about the man's age.
The man did not know what Jiujiu wanted to do, but he still answered Jiujiu obediently, "Sixteen."
"Sixteen."
Sure enough, she was not mistaken. He was indeed fifteen or sixteen years old.
And from the ink on the man's hands, she could tell that he was not an ordinary lecher. She thought that he was just like what the ancient books described, studying hard.
Jiujiu instantly had a good impression of hardworking people.
Looking at the man's ashamed face, Jiujiu asked softly, "I see that ink on your hands. Are you a scholar?"
The man nodded, "I've studied for a few years."
Although the man said that he had studied for a few years, she could tell that he had not only studied for a few years, from his bearing and manner of speech.
Just as Jiujiu was talking to the man, a shout came from outside the house, "Xiao Bei, are you going today?"
The man was still talking to Jiujiu, so it was not appropriate for him to go out. He could only shout back, "Brother Wang, I have something to do today, so I won't be going."
Hearing the man say that he was not going, Brother Wang sighed and quickly left.
Jiujiu looked at the man curiously and asked, "Do you still have to work during the day?"
The man lowered his head and gently rubbed the wound on his hand with his fingers. Although his head was lowered, he was neither servile nor overbearing, "I have to move goods during the day to earn some money to fill my stomach."
Jiujiu looked at the sixteen-year-old man in front of her. He was so thin that it seemed like a gust of wind could blow him away. She did not expect that not only did he study hard at night, he also had to help move goods during the day to earn money.
Compared to this man, Scholar Xiao was extremely pretentious.
Before Scholar Xiao became a Xiucai, he would help his family with some chores. But after he became a Xiucai, it was as if he had become an immortal in an instant. In an instant, he became a person who could neither lift nor carry anything.
However, Scholar Xiao's parents were parents who doted on their children. Furthermore, the appearance of a scholar in their illiterate family was like a golden phoenix flying out of a grass nest. It was simply too rare.
Even if Scholar Xiao had asked them to feed him, they would have done so, much less if he had asked them to.
Scholar Xiao's parents, on the other hand, had almost given him their hearts.
Scholar Xiao had climbed up the social ladder after high school. Even if he didn't want Madam Li, he could have just found an excuse to divorce her. However, he didn't even return home. It could be seen that Scholar Xiao was not only heartless but also cold-hearted.
Compared to Scholar Xiao, this man was simply too outstanding.
Jiujiu looked at the man and asked, "What's your name?"
The man lowered his head, his face still full of shame. "Xiang Bei."
Although Madam Li went to the capital after her parents passed away, the capital was far away from here. Moreover, Madam Li had to take care of two children. Because she didn't have enough money to travel, she had to walk for almost two years to reach the capital.
When she arrived in the capital, she heard that the new top scholar's name was Xiang Bei. Unfortunately, the new top scholar's life was not good. Not long after he became the top scholar, he died of an emergency.
Because of Scholar Xiao, Madam Li was more sensitive to the words' top scholar '. Therefore, when Xiang Bei said his name, Jiujiu instantly felt that this Xiang Bei was very likely the same Xiang Bei who had died after becoming the top scholar.
Logically speaking, there were many people with the same name in the world. It was not possible that this Xiang Bei was that Xiang Bei.
However, for some reason, Jiujiu felt that this Xiang Bei was that Xiang Bei.
To be able to become the top scholar in such a difficult environment, his future would definitely be limitless if he was in a different environment.
She could tell from his eyes that Xiang Bei was a person with a pure mind. It would be a pity if he lived like this for the rest of his life. After thinking about it, she said directly, "How about this? Since you're a scholar, I won't pursue what happened yesterday. However, you can't escape punishment. In the future, you don't have to go to work during the day. Come to my house and help me take care of my children. Don't worry, I'll still pay you and provide you with a meal."
Xiang Bei originally thought that Jiujiu would scold him even if she didn't ask for money. He didn't expect that not only did Jiujiu not scold him, but she also gave him a job.
Xiang Bei was stunned at first. Then, he quickly said, "It's my fault. Even if I have to take care of your children for free, it's my duty. There's no reason for me to pay you."
"Because you're a scholar." Jiujiu smiled. "To be honest, my son is almost four years old. He's at the age where he should be enlightened. However, it's not easy to find an enlightening master. I said that I want you to take care of my children, but in fact, I also want you to enlighten my son."
After hearing Jiujiu's words, Xiang Bei stopped declining. He cupped his hands and said, "Then it would be impolite of me to refuse."
"There's no time like the present. Let's do it today."
After Jiujiu finished speaking, she asked Xiang Bei to tidy up and bring him to her house.
Xiang Bei hurriedly packed up and brought along the items that he might need later. Then, he went to Jiujiu's house.
Jiujiu had sold a few more embroidery products, so she did not have much money on hand. Moreover, because she was greedy for pleasure, the items in her house were naturally the best that could be bought in town.
The charcoal fire burned as if it did not cost money. The house was comfortably warm, as if it was a twenty-eighth spring day. It made one feel drowsy.
Xiang Bei walked into the warm spring day from the bone-chilling cold outside. The frostbite on his fingers instantly started to itch because of the heat.
Xiang Bei rubbed his fingers unnaturally on his clothes and smiled at Jiujiu. "I wonder who needs to be enlightened?"
Jiujiu did not answer Xiang Bei's question. Instead, she turned around and went into the house.
Jiujiu took out the frostbite ointment that she had asked Whitey to make for the two children and handed it to Xiang Bei. "This is frostbite ointment. You'll feel better after applying it."
Xiang Bei's eyes instantly turned red when he saw the frostbite ointment that Jiujiu handed to him.
Ever since his parents passed away, his previous relatives had been like snakes and scorpions. He had not met anyone who treated him so well for a long time.
Xiang Bei raised his hand to wipe his eyes and said in a hoarse voice, "Don't worry. I'll definitely enlighten Young Master."
Jiujiu chuckled. "I believe in you."
Xiang Bei carefully smeared the frostbite ointment on his fingers.
The frostbite ointment was developed by Whitey with good medicinal materials. As soon as he applied it, Xiang Bei felt that the original itch had disappeared and was replaced by a slight warmth.
Feeling that Xiang Bei was more comfortable, Jiujiu pointed at Xiang Bei and said to Li Shoujie and Li Shu, "This is the teacher that Mother hired for you. In the future, you'll learn to read from him."
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